Services

Gloucestershire CCC's Richard Coughtrie called up by Scotland for tour of South Africa

GLOUCESTERSHIRE wicketkeeper Richard Coughtrie has set his sights on playing at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after being called up by Scotland.

The 24-year-old qualifies to play international cricket for Scotland through his ancestry on his father Douglas' side after the regulations were changed to permit the use of players with UK passports and Scottish parentage.

He flew out with the squad for their month-long tour of South Africa last week and is also likely to take part in further tours to India and Dubai after Christmas.

"I investigated the possibility of playing for Scotland while I was at Durham, but at that time the rules prevented it because I was born in England," said North Shields-born Coughtrie.

"Recently the Professional Cricketers Association contacted me to say that the regulations had been relaxed.

"My father is a Glaswegian, as was his father, and I have always felt as much Scottish as English. Playing for Scotland now would not prevent me from playing for England further down the line if the opportunity ever arose, so the situation is ideal.

"Suddenly I am part of the Scotland Performance Programme and have a wonderful chance to become part of their plans for the next World Cup."

Following the retirement of Jon Batty, Coughtrie will be Gloucestershire's senior wicketkeeper next season and will compete with inexperienced duo Gareth Roderick and Cameron Herring for the gloves.

"It is going to be a very big summer for me and I couldn't hope for better preparation," said Coughtrie.

"If I go on all the trips with Scotland it will be a busy winter and I will gain experience of a variety of conditions.

"The season just ended didn't go as well as I had hoped, but I learned a lot about myself and feel stronger for it."

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